I: Medication Clarifications:
1. Androgens – “per SCA”
2. Insulin-like Growth Factor – “per SCA”
3. Growth Hormone (somatotropin) – “per SCA”
4. Vasopressin – DDAVP – “MAY prescribe”
5. Posterior pituitary hormones – “MAY prescribe for primary nocturnal enuresis only”
6. Cabergoline – “per SCA”
7. Bromocriptine – “MAY prescribe”
8. Corticotropins (ACTH) – “may NOT prescribe except for Cosyntropin is MAY prescribe)
9. Glucocorticoids – “MAY prescribe”
10. Mineralcorticoids – “MAY prescribe”
11. Dronabinol (Marinol) – “MAY prescribe”
12. Megestrol (Megace) – “MAY prescribe”
13. Phentermine hydrochloride (Adipex) –”per SCA”
II: Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorders
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has taken further steps to address the U.S. opioid epidemic by expanding access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorders. As a result, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has recently announced that nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) may begin taking the 24 hours of required training to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment with trained NPs beginning to prescribe in “early 2017”. However, PLEASE NOTE The Ohio Board of Nursing Committee on Prescriptive Governance (CPG) will next meet on January 23, 2017, at which time they will address changes to the prescribing formulary and any necessary rule provisions that may need to be considered BEFORE NPs in Ohio prescribe buprenorphine for MAT. The CPG is also currently seeking clarification as to what is involved with federal application requirements and more specifically what HHS means by “early 2017.” More to come after the CPG meeting in January. Please click on this LINK for more information.
III: Gabapentin now on OAARS Report & NPs providing samples must report to OAARS
If you give samples, (also called “personally furnishing”) gabapentin to patients, you must now submit this information to OAARS. Download the guidelines HERE. PLEASE NOTE: You do NOT have to check an OAARS report before prescribing gabapentin, however if you give samples of this medication, it must be reported. Please go to this LINK for more information about OAARS reporting.